20 mph for Hawkenbury coming

The Joint Transportation Board is to consider a proposal to include a 20mph restriction on traffic along Hawkenbury Road.This restriction is to be included in any planning application for the new school and the necessary changes will be paid for by the applicant.

When the HVA met with Berkeley Homes and in our submissions to the planning department regarding the housing development on Hawkenbury Farm, we asked that the speed limit on Hawkenbury Road be reduced to 20 mph. The primary reason was that this seemed appropriate outside the school that is proposed. It also made sense as a large number of people cross Hawkenbury Road daily to gain access to the recreation ground from the surrounding roads.

Initially, the response from KCC was not favourable and the general impression was that they would only consider it, if someone was killed in a speed related accident. We attempted to have the restriction added to the planning application submitted by Berkeley Homes, but this was not successful.

The issue has again been raised with the Joint Transportation Board and we are pleased that a favourable submission has been made by the Lead Transport Planner for KCC to revisit the requirement for a 20mph limit. The officers will now pursue a policy of 20 mph along Hawkenbury Road. This is likely to be included in any planning application for the new school and the applicant will need to pay for any traffic orders, signs and other speed reduction measures. These restrictions will need to be in place by the time the school opens.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will campaign for the 20 mph to be included in any planning application. Through these measures, we hope to keep our children and residents safe.